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Vatican City, Vatican, 20th October 2004 (CNA) -
Pope John Paul II
spoke on the “Vanity of riches,” the theme of the first
part of Psalm 48, in today's general audience in St.
Peter's Square, and emphasized that to be rich is not an
advantage in this life if it takes one away from life
with God.
The Pope said that
this psalm speaks of the just man who "must confront
'evil days' because the malice of his foes surrounds
him' and men 'boast of the vastness of their riches'.
The conclusion reached by the just man is ... that great
riches is not an advantage; on the contrary, it is
better to be poor and to live as one with
God."
The rich man "is
convinced that he is able to buy everything, even death,
trying almost to corrupt it, as he did in order to
obtain all other things, success, triumph over others in
the social and political sphere, unpunished abuse of
power, eating to his heart's content, comforts,
pleasures,"said the Holy
Father.
But "the final
destiny of the rich man,” he continued, “even for as
much money as he is willing to offer, will be
unalterable. As all men and women, ... he will die one
day ... and will have to leave the gold he loved so much
and the material goods so idolatrized on
earth."
"Jesus addresses this
unsettling question to those who listen to Him: 'What
can man give in exchange for his soul?' No
exchange is possible because life is a gift from God who
'has in his hand the soul of every living being and the
breath of all human flesh,'" said the
Pope.
At the end of the
audience the Pope thanked his fellow Poles for "their
prayers and expressions of unity and for the help that
you have given me during these 26 years of pontificate.
May the Lord reward you abundantly and bless you."
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